Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Athawale Backs Election Chief, Rejects Calls to Resign Over Voter Deletions
Ramdas Athawale said election chief Gyanesh Kumar does not need to resign.
Some people have accused election officials of removing voters on purpose.
Athawale said six crore of 13 crore removed voter records were connected to people moving to a new home.
He also spoke about protests in Delhi.
He said people have a right to protest, but protests should be peaceful.
Athawale disagreed with Rahul Gandhi’s claims about stolen votes.
He said similar accusations could be made about Congress leaders.
He also questioned why the Cockroach Janata Party was joining protests at Jantar Mantar.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar need not resign over allegations of deliberate voter deletions.
Athawale said six crore of 13 crore voter deletions were due to people changing residence.
He defended police action against protesters in Delhi, saying protests are a democratic right but must remain peaceful.
Athawale disputed Rahul Gandhi’s vote-theft allegations, saying Congress leaders could also be accused of winning with fake votes.
He questioned the Cockroach Janata Party’s participation in Jantar Mantar protests, saying it invited chaos.
- Who
- Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and protesters including the Cockroach Janata Party.
- What
- Athawale defended Gyanesh Kumar against resignation calls over alleged voter deletions and commented on protests and vote-theft allegations.
- When
- Sunday, October 11; the year is not specified.
- Where
- Srinagar; Athawale also discussed protests in Delhi and at Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- Athawale said many voter deletions were due to changes of residence and argued that protests should be peaceful.
Critics and protesters
Athawale
Voter deletions and resignation
Critics and protesters
Allegations of deliberate voter deletions and vote theft have been raised; the report says the issue prompted calls for Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Athawale
Athawale said Kumar need not resign and said six crore of 13 crore voter deletions resulted from changes of residence.
Vote-theft allegations
Critics and protesters
Rahul Gandhi has alleged vote theft.
Athawale
Athawale disputed Gandhi’s claim and said Congress leaders could also be accused of winning due to fake votes.
Protests and police action
Critics and protesters
Protests took place in Delhi and at Jantar Mantar; the reports do not include demonstrators’ account of police action.
Athawale
Athawale defended police action against protesters in Delhi and said protests must be peaceful, warning that people who use violence may go to jail.
- Speaker
- Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister and head of the Republican Party of India
- Election official
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Voter deletions cited
- Athawale referred to 13 crore deletions and said six crore were due to changes of residence
- Protests
- Athawale said protest is a democratic right but must be peaceful
- Vote-theft allegations
- Athawale disputed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations and said similar accusations could be made about Congress leaders
- CJP protests
- Athawale questioned the Cockroach Janata Party’s participation in protests at Jantar Mantar and said it invited chaos
- RPI alliance
- The report says the Republican Party of India is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance
